You Can Swipe This Enchanted iPhone Cover to Answer Calls

Photo: Josh Valcarcel/WIRED

Even though they add bulk and cover up Jony Ive’s elegant designs, I’m an unapologetic case guy when it comes to my iPhone. As such, I’ve slapped everything from cheap $10 pieces of plastic to battery-extending beasts like the Mophie Juice Pack on my phone — all in service of protection (and usually to the detriment of appearance). That’s why Moshi’s new SenseCover case is so interesting. With its slick brushed metal exterior, it strikes a great balance between looks and utility. And it can even perform a few clever tricks.

Indeed, what makes the SenseCover truly unique is a strip of capacitive plates embedded directly on its face. When you get a call, you simply slide your finger over this strip to answer it. You can also tap on its left side to reject a call or use it to snooze alarms. It’s a nice touch that makes using an encased iPhone slightly more convenient.

As for looks, this folio-style case clearly takes design cues from the Samsung S-View Flip Cover Folio case. There’s a little rectangular cutout at the top that lets you see the date, time, and the name of any caller without opening the case. It does make the iPhone look slightly like an old-school calculator, but it’s a definite conversation starter.

The SenseCover also features a magnetic latch that prevents it from accidentally flapping open and a hard, polycarbonate back that makes sure your phone is protected against accidental nicks and scratches.

After using it over the weekend, my only grouse is with the cutout on the front. Yes, the clear plastic over it protects your screen, but it also means you can’t interact with the volume slider when you’re playing music and podcasts. And if Apple changes the position of the slider to accept a call even slightly in a future version of iOS, your $45 case with a touch strip will instantly turn into a $45 iPhone case with a useless touch strip. But hey, that’s a risk any case user is more than familiar with.